impress

1 of 4

verb (1)

im·​press im-ˈpres 

impressed; impressing; impresses

transitive verb

1

a

: to affect especially forcibly or deeply : gain the admiration or interest of

her honesty impressed us

b

: to produce a vivid impression of

2

a

: to apply with pressure so as to imprint

b

: to produce (something, such as a mark) by pressure

c

: to mark by or as if by pressure or stamping

3

: transfer, transmit

intransitive verb

: to produce an impression

impressibility

im-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impressible

im-ˈpre-sə-bəl 

adjective

impress

2 of 4

noun (1)

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

also

im-ˈpres 

1

: a characteristic or distinctive mark : stamp

the impress of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped … in his work

—Lytton Strachey

2

: impression, effect

have an impress on history

3

: the act of impressing

4

a

: a mark made by pressure : imprint

b

: an image of something formed by or as if by pressure

especially : seal

c

: a product of pressure or influence

impress

3 of 4

verb (2)

im·​press im-ˈpres 

impressed; impressing; impresses

transitive verb

1

: to levy or take by force for public service

especially : to force into naval service

2

a

: to procure or enlist by forcible persuasion

b

: force

impressed him into a white coat for the Christmas festivities

—Nancy Hale

impress

4 of 4

noun (2)

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

also

im-ˈpres 

: impressment

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• affect
• impact
• influence
• move
• reach
• strike
• sway
• tell (on)
• touch

Choose the Right Synonym for impress

affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon.

affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost

his emotions were touched by her distress

impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Examples of impress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Morgan Geyser, one of the two girls who attempted to kill their friend to impress a mythical online character in 2014, has been denied a request to be released from the mental institution where she’s being held, according to The Associated Press. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

Elijah Anderson-Taylor has impressed after losing 15 pounds of fat and gaining eight pounds of muscle. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

What impressed us most was Medterra's commitment to transparency and compliance. —Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

The moisturizer's pleasant scent and seamless layering with other skincare products impressed us. —Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 3 Apr. 2024

Continuing her winning streak, Plane Jane impressed the judges with her drag daughter Lazi Susan, earing her fourth challenge win of the season. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024

The rock manager had by then become his own tribute act, and in the overblown manner of the day Hope goes on to impress on his neophyte charges the Wagnerian seriousness of their world-conquering quest. —Andrew O’Hagan, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

The compact electric Volvo impressed with its interior space, interiors designed from renewable and recycled materials and a powerful drive perfect for both city streets and highways. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

His performance impressed executives at NBC’s parent company, Comcast. —John Koblin, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Noun

Monk’s costume design impresses, as Elodie must use parts of her dress to engineer her way out of dire encounters with the dragon (voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo) and the maze of its underground lair. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024

The Echo Show 8 impresses with its high-quality display and versatile features. —Maddie Michalik, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024

The Highland Park estate at 3637 Maplewood Ave. impresses with sophisticated style from your first step in the door. —Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023

Chris Lowe’s production design impresses with the Oceanic Institute and the very cool dive suits and sea vessels. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2023

Designed by William Briggs and built by Tom Black, the nearly 6,000-square-foot home impresses with arched doorways, spacious rooms and sophisticated fireplaces. —Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 27 June 2023

About how youth is clay that responds to the impress of charismatic people and ideas. —Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 22 June 2023

On the road, even the entry-level 350+ impresses, the steel suspension tending more towards soft compliance than engaging poise, but still offering a relaxing, rewarding drive experience. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2023

Thankfully, this always-be-dressed-to-impress rule has lightened up a bit during the pandemic, but here are a few other steadfast ways that remain. —Sara Lieberman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere, from in- + premere to press — more at press

Verb (2)

in- entry 2 + press entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun (1)

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impress

1 of 3 verb

im·​press im-ˈpres 

1

: to produce by stamping, pressing, or printing

2

a

: to fix in or on one's mind : produce a vivid impression of

the lesson was impressed on their minds

b

: to affect strongly or deeply

I am impressed by what you've done

also : to gain the admiration or interest of

tries to impress people

impress

2 of 3 noun

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

1

: the act of impressing

2

: a mark made by pressure

3

: a characteristic or special mark

4

: impression sense 2b

impress

3 of 3 verb

im·​press im-ˈpres 

: to force into naval service

impressment

-mənt

noun